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Rabat – King Mohammed VI ordered the government to tackle the situation of unaccompanied minors who entered European countries illegally.
Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the King instructed the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs to tackle the issue of unaccompanied minors.
The statement said that the monarch “repeatedly stressed” Morocco’s clear and firm commitment to accept the return of identified unaccompanied minors.
“Cooperation mechanisms have been set up for this purpose with certain countries, notably France and Spain,” the ministry said.
The cooperation is expected to yield the return of dozens of minors.
Regarding delays in implementing the cooperation, the ministry said that the issue is “mainly linked to blockages due to complex procedures in certain European countries.”
The statement emphasized Morocco’s commitment to continue collaborating with European countries, in particular EU member states, for the settlement of the issue of unaccompanied minors.
The North African country also urged the EU and European countries concerned to facilitate the operation.
The King’s order comes amid escalating tensions between Morocco and Spain.
The Spanish government allowed Polisario leader Brahim Ghali to enter Madridwith a fake passport and identity under the name of Mohamed Ben Battouch.
Tension between Morocco and Spain flared when 8000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from northern Morocco. The mass irregular migration to Ceuta angered Spain, who accused Morocco of laxity and undermined its efforts in curbing irregular migration to Spain over the years.
Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the country’s position on the crisis, saying that it regrets that the migration crisis is used as an “alibi” to “circumvent the real causes of the current political crisis with Spain.”
The ministry said the origin of the crisis is well known, referencing Spain’s decision to welcome Ghali without bothering to notify or consult Morocco.
“The Moroccan authorities reserve the right to provide appropriate responses to the Spanish government’s unfounded accusations at the appropriate time,” the ministry concluded.
